Volunteer Day with FedEx Ground Posted on June 19, 2017 by wpengine On Friday, June 2, we kicked off our second demonstration project for the GTECH Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GTECH GSI) initiative in the high-priority O-27 sewershed. The goal of the demonstration projects for GTECH GSI is to capture stormwater before it reaches our overworked combined sewer system, while also providing a welcoming green space that meets community needs. For this particular project, we are partnering with Riverview Manor, a senior living facility in the Brighton Heights neighborhood of the Northside. The…Read More
PGH Mobile Toolbox Summer Update Posted on June 12, 2017 by wpengine The PGH Mobile Toolbox is 2 months old! We are so pleased with how well the resource has been rolling. To date, the trailer has accompanied 14 workdays, servicing over 120 volunteers, in 11 different communities. To celebrate this accomplishment, I have gathered a few of my favorite images from some of the workdays to highlight the great work being done in Pittsburgh and it's surrounding communities. Brookline Community Garden Forest Hills…Read More
Yes, I’m a Bit Nostalgic Posted on May 15, 2017 by wpengine It’s hard to believe, but my time at GTECH is coming to an end. In some ways it’s been a really long 18+ months; in other ways it’s been very short. It seems like yesterday I was at Heinz College orientation in August 2015, hearing about GTECH’s origins as a systems synthesis capstone project. I remember being intrigued—something I could do in school might be relevant to real life? I’d have to investigate this. So, after starting my public policy…Read More
Get The Election Choices Here! Posted on May 11, 2017 by wpengine People have been talking a lot about politics recently. Maybe you’ve noticed. Maybe you’ve wanted to do something about it. Maybe you’ve been struggling to find a way to make a difference. Sometimes government seems big, opaque, and far away, but next week we have a chance to vote in an election that will undoubtedly have real, tangible, local results. At GTECH, we work regularly with fantastic public officials (and aspiring public officials) throughout the county, from Mayors, to council people, to…Read More
Roots of Steel Posted on May 5, 2017 by wpengine Last Friday, we kicked off a new phase of our ReClaim Clairton Ambassador program, project implementation. Just as in past Ambassador programs, each participant receives access to a $3,000 micro-fund to assist in the implementation of a greenspace project they have spent the last 8 months creating with support from their neighbors, friends, and communities. Leading the pack was Sue Viglioti, who was motivated to participate in the ReClaim Clairton program by the love of her home town and the people…Read More
What makes GTECH great Posted on May 2, 2017 by wpengine As my official last week of my internship here at GTECH commences, I wanted to reflect on my time as an intern, my favorite experiences, and why I am proud to call myself a GTECHer. This past weekend I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with my Masters in Social Work, with a concentration in Community and Social Action (COSA). Many people do not associate social workers with nonprofits who work with communities to reclaim and invest in vacant land,…Read More
What Keeps Me Grounded Posted on April 24, 2017 by wpengine The one thing that keeps me grounded is the opportunity not only to revitalize vacant land but more importantly the chance to revive the sense of comradery within the communities where we work. In the fall of 2016, GTECH recruited a dozen Hill District residents, called Ambassadors, to lead the movement for reclaiming vacant lots. For six months, the Ambassadors participated in classes and workshops to learn about the process of reclaiming vacant land. Throughout the classes, the Ambassadors designed vacant…Read More
Pittsburgh Land Bank: Resources & Final Public Meeting Posted on March 29, 2017 by wpengine What is a land bank exactly? This may be a question you’ve never thought about. But for folks like me, who look at the vacant property in our neighborhoods as an opportunity to enrich communities, I was keen on attending the first Pittsburgh Land Bank public meeting, which happened to be on the West End (also my side of town). The Pittsburgh Land Bank’s role will be to aid in the recycling and repurposing of land, stabilization of standing structures,…Read More
Unlikely Lessons from the Roman Empire Posted on March 9, 2017 by wpengine Whenever March rolls around I generally have two thoughts: Why is it still cold? How many years has it now been since Julius Caesar’s assassination? I imagine many share my first thought, but far fewer share my second. Most of my friends are more interested in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or trying to one-up each other with the number of digits of pi they have memorized on Pi Day. (Yes, I hang out with some cool people.) But as someone…Read More
Announcing, the PGH Mobile Toolbox! Posted on March 6, 2017 by wpengine We have been working hard to prepare our latest resource for vacant lot cleaning and greening efforts. Introducing the PGH Mobile Toolbox, a tool library on wheels, ready for your next workday or cleanup! This resource is brought to you through our partnership with Neighborhood Allies and is intended to fill the resource gap between project inspiration and its implementation. Through our experience, we found no shortage of good ideas and residents who are motivated to execute them. However,…Read More
An Open Thank You Letter to The GTECH Community: Posted on February 28, 2017 by wpengine The day has finally come. Today is my last day as a GTECH Strategies employee. While I will remain affiliated as an Emeritus Board Member - my time as a staff member is officially complete as of March 1. I find myself feeling a strange combination of nostalgia and pride. Ultimately, I am overcome with gratitude and humility. The last ten years have been a spectacular entrepreneurial journey - and I have learned, experienced, and grown more than I…Read More
Welcome Lauren – GTECH GSI Community Liaison Posted on February 6, 2017 by wpengine We are very excited to welcome Lauren Bivins as a Community Liaison in Marshall-Shadeland! A couple months ago we highlighted our Community Liaisons that are supporting our GTECH GSI project in Woods Run. We've got a new addition to the team and are excited to introduce her. Lauren Bivins Neighborhood: Marshall-Shadeland What is your favorite thing about your neighborhood? I enjoy the diversity and caring neighbors that keep the community growing with each generation. Why are you excited about this project? When…Read More